To mark Men's Health Week, an Orange resident has shared his story with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program about his own mental health struggles and journey to recovery.
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This year, Men's Health Week runs from June 15-21.
Kaiden Powell is a Wiradjuri man from Orange and struggled with his identity and a sense of belonging for a long time before he eventually sought help.
Kaiden and his siblings were raised by their mother in a single parent home.
"My father wasn't around, he left at an early age. My father is Indigenous so I was raised by mum who is non-Indigenous and at times at an early stage a lot of that abandonment and trauma that happened when I was younger impacted me," he explained.
Kaiden said he thought certain things were his fault and took on unnecessary problems.
"I was always hard on myself, I took a lot on that wasn't mine (to deal with) and that reiterated the voices in my head that were saying I was different or not worthy...," he said.
"At school I would get teased, because my mother was white and dad wasn't around. So in terms of my identity I didn't fit in with the Indigenous kids or the non-Indigenous kids at times..."
Watch Kaiden's story below. The article continues after the video...
As part of Men's Health Week, Kaiden shared his story with RAMHP's new website for rural men 'You Got This Mate'.
The young Wiradjuri man reveals that he was using drugs and alcohol and at one time was so depressed he became suicidal.
After being in a very dark place, Kaiden realised he needed to connect back with the things that brought him joy, and one of those was soccer.
Kaiden was always heavily involved in sport growing up, whether at school our within the community, which helped focus his energy on doing something positive.
All the tools that I put in place don't always work, so it's about finding other options that can help and assist.
- Kaiden Powell
"I was very passionate about that... and my circumstances helped drive me to do better," he said.
"Sport for me was an outlet where I could be recognised for the things what I have done... it helped me feel a part of something...."
And once Kaiden started talking about his problems, he said he felt that his issues were becoming lighter.
His advice to others who may be going through a similar situation, was that it's okay to be different and to seek help with those you trust if you are struggling.
"It's okay to feel those things, it's normal to feel those things. It's about trying not to take it all on. And get a reality check from someone that you're close to," Kaiden said.
"I know for me trying to fit in and not being authentic to myself... that impacted me. I wasn't being truthful and I knew that internally from a young age..."
He also keeps his mind and body healthy and happy by going to the gym and while COVID-19 forced the closure of many gyms, Kaiden was able to utilise his love of art to remain positive.
"A part of process was doing something that was a mindful exercise," Kaiden explained.
"It was me connecting to culture and other people I was doing the work for.... but also (connecting) with myself and being able to express myself through my art.
"It's about identifying things that work for me in that time. All the tools that I put in place don't always work, so it's about finding other options that can help and assist."
To hear about Kaiden's story, or to find out how you can take action and get help visit the yougotthismate.com.au website.
If you have any concerns about yourself or a loved one, please contact the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.
Or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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